Jenny and Her Dog Both Fight Cancer: A Tale of Chemotherapy and Caring
Jewel Kats, Author
Claudia Marie Lenart, Illustrator
Loving Healing Press, Fiction, Mar. 21, 2016
Suitable for Ages: 6-9
Themes: Childhood cancer, Pets with cancer, Friendship, Courage, Loss
Opening: “Your dog, Dolly, has cancer of the lungs.” I can’t believe my ears. This can’t be happening. I know the “C-word” all to well. I glare at my mom. “This must be a real bad joke.”
Synopsis: When the veterinarian tells Jenny her dog has cancer, memories of her own diagnosis come flooding into her mind. Dolly is her best friend and has been there to support Jenny during very tough times of chemotherapy when she loses her hair and is sick. Jenny promises to love and support Dolly. As Jenny gets stronger, Dolly slows down, doesn’t want to eat and tires from walks. The loving bond between them grows.
Why I like this book:
Jewell Kats has written a heartwarming and honest story about a girl and her dog both receiving a cancer diagnosis. This is a refreshing angle on a story. The bond between Jenny and her dog is realistic. Even though Jenny is still receiving chemo and feels sick many days, she bravely accompanies Dolly to her treatments. Together they love and support one another through many tough times. Jenny is a very courageous character. And Dolly is the best medicine for Jenny’s healing process. But the prognosis is not always good for dogs with cancer. As Jenny gets better, Dolly begins to weaken.
I like the simplicity of Kats’ narrative, which is told in Jenny’s voice. Her picture book would be helpful to children who are dealing with cancer, whether their own, a family member or a pet. Claudia Marie Lenart’s beautifully illustrates the story with her hand-made fiber artwork. Her soft wool sculptures are magical and really make this story special.
Jewel Kats is the author of about a dozen “Fairy Ability Tales, which feature protagonist’s who have a disability or chronic illness. Kats also dealt with a disability and wrote books that helped kids see themselves in stories. She wanted to be known for her work as an advocate for individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, Jewel Kats passed away Jan. 7, 2016. Her last book with Lenart will be published this fall. Visit Kats’ website. Check out Claudia Marie Lenart’s fiber artwork process on her website.
Resources: The book alone is a perfect resource for parents and families. Her picture book would be helpful to children who are dealing with cancer, whether their own, a family member or a pet. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
With many children dealing with cancer, this would be such a good book. Even for children who may have friends or family battling cancer. Bravo Jewel for writing such a meaningful book and thank you, Pat, for reviewing it.
I’m glad you enjoyed the PB. It is an important book for children who have cancer or have a family member or pet with cancer. Jewel takes on disabilities and illnesses in her books.
I hope this book has a happy ending–for both of them. Tough topics all around. (One of our dogs died of lung cancer)
The book is realistic and one character doesn’t make it. But the ending is handled with such grace.
Like, Wendy, I’m also rooting for a happy ending on the book. This book touches a challenging topic. A powerful addition to the PPBF reviews.
Yes, I believe kids need to see themselves in characters — especially if they have an illness or disability. Thank you! I think it is a powerful addition to PPBF reviews.
What a challenge to tackle this topic. A great addition to your “healing collection.”
Yes, I’m always searching for books with healing topics. This is a perfect read for the entire family.
I am wondering about the ending too.
The ending is very touching!
Wow! I agree – I hope this has a happy ending, too. But having lived through a beloved dog’s cancer journeys (she died after the third recurrence), the loss of two dogs within a year of each other, and our daughter’s cancer (very much alive & planning her wedding),thankfully not all at the same time, I think this book will bring comfort to those facing illness. The illustrations look lovely, and comforting, too. Thanks so much for sharing.
Wow, this book is similar to your life experiences. It is realistic and has a hopeful ending. Claudia Marie Lenart’s fiber soft sculptures add another dimension to the story.
What a beautiful way to approach this topic–dogs ground us and bring out our loving spirits so well. Are the illustrations photos of little dolls? I think that’s part of what makes that hug on the cover so tender.
Yes, I agree with you. Claudia’s artwork is unique — woolen fibers that are sculpted into beautiful characters. Adds a charm to the story.
A very hard topic. I do hope there is some kind of happy ending.
It is a honest and refreshing book about childhood cancer and the loving bond between a courageous child and her best friend.
I’m so glad to learn of such a unique and accessible picture book on a tough topic Patricia. The illustrations look so cozy and comforting too. Thank you.
The fiber character sculptures really are cozy and comforting. Perfect for this tough subject.
This sounds like a needed and moving story, Patricia. Dogs can be such a comfort when you’re ill. When my dad was under hospice care, his dog spent nearly every moment standing sentinel at his bedside.
It is a comforting story for children with cancer and their families. This book can be used in a variety of ways. Thank you for sharing your experience with you dad. Animals know. I experienced something similar with my mother.
What a great way to tell this story. I bet it will help lots of kids through treatment. Great for putting healthy kids in other shoes, too. Thanks.
Yes, it would help healthy kids walk in Jenny’s shoes and help them deal with a family member or pet that might have cancer.
Mom will for sure never read this book. She doesn’t read books where the dog might die at the end. This sounds like a good possibility here…. God bless this author taking on such a tough subject.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
The author is a very special woman. She was in a car accident in her teens and uses a wheelchair. She has written a lot of fractured fairy tales with protagonists that have disabilities, like Down Syndrome (Hansel and Gretel). She has such courage and light. The artwork stands out in this story too — very unusual fiber sculptures.
With so many children suffering from serious illnesses, this book is very much needed. Thank you for selecting it, Patricia…I always know I will find a fabulous book reviewed when I come to your website! And thank you for sharing the background of the author…she writes from the heart because she has been there.
I so pleased you like my choice. Jewel Kats is an amazing woman! And, thank you for sharing my review on FB and twitter.
Very interesting book, Patricia. I will check it out. Thanks for the heads up.
I am so pleased you liked this important story!
Oh my goodness this just captured my heart Both the story and the dreamy illustrations. What an amazing writer to tackle such a delicate topic and I had to race to the illustrators website to check out her wonderful creative art work. A wonderful review Pat and thanks for sharing
Yes, dreamy is an excellent word to describe Claudia’s illustrations. There will be one more book due out this fall. “Prince Preemie: Tale of a Tiny Puppy Who Arrived Early.” I also just learned that the young author passed away. Will comment above.
Thank you for reviewing the book. Yes, Jewel was amazing for writing a children’s book on this difficult subject. This was the first book I illustrated for Jewel. I thought it was so beautifully written and I related to it as I had lost dogs to cancer.
Claudia,
I am pleased you enjoyed the review the book you and Jewel Kats collaborated on. I am happy there will be one more book released this fall: “Prince Preemie: Tale of a Tiny Puppy Who Arrived Early.”
I also was saddened to learn from you that author, Jewel Kats, has passed away. She was such an inspiration to her readers, dealing with her own disabilities. She really sparkled. Here is a tribute to her: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-author-jewel-kats-1.3398884 And thank you for sharing my review on Kats website.
I look forward to reviewing your last book together. I love the cover.
Best,
Patricia
Pingback: Children’s Books Heal reviews Jenny & Her Dog | Jewel Kats
tough topic to write about – and yet so needed. In a perfect world no dogs would die… or kids. In our world we have to find a way to help them survive this disease.
It is a tough topic, but kids to need they aren’t alone. This book is so well-written and illustrated!
This sounds like a book that families will need to read to help their kids if something like this happens to either them or the dog. It’s quite sad, but Ms. Kats has a great way of writing these books. 🙂
I agree with you. Jewel Kats’ only wanted to be known as an advocate for kids with disabilities. And she did so beautifully through her picture books.
Sounds like a great book for any child that is facing cancer or knows someone who is. I’ll add to my cancer book list and link to you! Thanks for sharing at the Diverse KidLit linky too!
I’m glad you liked the book. I’m always searching for books for kids dealing with cancer. After I published my review, I learned the author, who had a disability, passed away this year. She has one more book due out soon.
Pingback: Books About Cancer for Kids and Teens